Author Topic: Bike / Hike Campsites on southern PCR  (Read 7714 times)

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Offline Guppy

Bike / Hike Campsites on southern PCR
« on: July 19, 2014, 07:07:05 am »
In September I'll be riding the PCR from San Francisco, south to the border, and have found that many of the campgrounds marked on the Adventure Cycling maps don't have bike/hike sites (I just presumed if they were marked they would).  Now I'm rather concerned that I'll roll up to a campsite and be turned away.  For the bit from LA to San Diego, it seems the worst.

Does anyone know if this list (from 2010) is still accurate?

http://www.cyclelicio.us/2010/california-state-parks-with-bike-camping/


Offline tsteven4

Re: Bike / Hike Campsites on southern PCR
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2014, 10:11:13 am »
I would go here http://www.parks.ca.gov/ParkIndex/ and check "By Activity/Facility" and then check "Hike or Bike Campsites" under "Overnight Features".


Offline staehpj1

Re: Bike / Hike Campsites on southern PCR
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2014, 10:49:44 am »
In September I'll be riding the PCR from San Francisco, south to the border, and have found that many of the campgrounds marked on the Adventure Cycling maps don't have bike/hike sites (I just presumed if they were marked they would).

As I recall, the maps specifically say hiker/biker where that is the case.  Do you mean that ones that are marked hiker/biker actually are not?  In that case the AC addenda should say so.  If concerned, calling ahead each day would be an option.

When I did the PCH I was usually camping with other cyclists and someone else usually called ahead to verify what the situation was.  I never needed to bother, but calling ahead each day wouldn't be to big of a deal.  That said, when alone I typically don't bother.  I start early enough each day that I get to camp early, so if I find a place full I have time to press on to the next one.

Offline Guppy

Re: Bike / Hike Campsites on southern PCR
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2014, 06:11:10 am »
As I recall, the maps specifically say hiker/biker where that is the case.

I had a closer look, and indeed the hiker/biker campgrounds are indicated.  Thanks!

Offline staehpj1

Re: Bike / Hike Campsites on southern PCR
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2014, 08:12:02 am »
Glad to help.  Enjoy the ride, it is a beautiful coast.

Offline litespeed

Re: Bike / Hike Campsites on southern PCR
« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2014, 03:36:08 pm »
The major problem in the parks on the southern California coast is not lack of camping spots it is the "homeless" (to use a polite term) stumbling around. The last time I went down the coast they were such pests that I cut inland at Paso Robles to get away from them.

If I sound unsympathetic it is because I got to really know them after I got out of the army. I spent a few years knocking around the country, staying in cheap rooms and working out of rent-a-drunk labor outfits and government employment centers. I always had a buck in my pocket, clean clothes on my back and a roof over my head because I was willing to work at whatever I was offered. I never met any homeless person who was "down on his luck" or mentally ill. They ALL had simply made a life decision to beg, drink cheap wine and use drugs instead of work.

Offline MarkM

Re: Bike / Hike Campsites on southern PCR
« Reply #6 on: August 05, 2014, 11:01:33 pm »
Call the state park number on the back of the ACA map to check for hiker/biker site info. As of last Aug/Sept there were plenty of options all the way. One thing that did mess me up was taking break days. Some parks with H/B sites will allow you to stay more than one day, some won't. So plan your break days and call ahead.

Offline John Nelson

Re: Bike / Hike Campsites on southern PCR
« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2014, 12:02:35 am »
The ACA addenda warn of possible closures, but last week I looked up 47 state parks along the California coast and only found two of them (Dry Lagoon and Benbow Lake) who had closed their campgrounds. That still leaves a lot of options.